Iranians killed in recent protests have been buried in lively funerals full of music and dancing to show defiance against the Islamic regime. Instead of silent, traditional ceremonies led by Shia clerics, families are celebrating their loved ones' lives with joy. This is a clear protest against the theocracy’s strict religious rules. Many families had to pay large sums to get the bodies from official morgues. Some were forced to sign papers claiming the dead were Basij militia members, a move by authorities to label protesters as terrorists and boost regime casualty numbers. Estimates say up to 30,000 people died in the protests that started last December. Sociologists say these joyful funerals send a message of rebellion. Hosein Ghazian, a US-based Iranian commentator, said, “Many of today’s mourners … do not want the grief over their loved ones to bear any trace of the religious mourning that is emblematic of the subculture shared by their killers. Instead of outwardly expressing grief, they choose to display joy.” Videos on social media show scenes of women without head coverings dancing to pop songs outside, breaking the conservative rules of Iran. Families say they want to honor how the dead lived. For example, Milad, 17, who died in Tehran, was celebrated with dancing to his favorite song. His brother said, “They danced through tears at the burial. Even in mourning, they honoured his vibrant life.” Shaghayegh, 21, shared how her cousin’s funeral was like a wedding party with loudspeakers and food. “The only difference was that none of us were laughing. We were celebrating his life.” Dancing and music are usually forbidden in public by the theocratic government. Saeed Paivandi, a sociologist, said these funerals show "resistance against the theocratic government that wants to impose religious norms on all of Iranian society." He added that replacing crying with “bitter joy” is a cultural protest. A key inspiration is Majidreza Rahnavard, executed in 2022, who said before death, “I don’t want anyone to mourn upon my grave. I don’t want them to read the Qur’an or pray. Just celebrate and play celebrating music.” Opponents of the regime now honor him as a folk hero. These vibrant funerals are loud, public protests that mix sorrow with celebration, challenging the strict rules and showing the will to fight on.